Taking their game on the road

CourtesyLuke Hancock, from left, coach Chad Alexander and Tanner Smith are shown during a break in the action during the World Wood Bat National Championship tournament in Atlanta last week.

HOUSTON – Two local student athletes made a trip to Atlanta, Ga., recently for the World Wood Bat National Championship and they were in good company.

Houston’s Luke Hancock and Tanner Smith joined over 3,500 players from 184 teams in the pool-play tournament.

The boys play with the P360 Elite 15U team based out of Jackson and owned by Ole Miss All American and Chicago White Sox player, Chris Snopek. They were coached by Chad Alexander who played for Texas A&M and then with the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros.

Smith pitched two complete games, getting wins in both. In his first outing on the hill, he threw a one-hiter and struck out ten for a 9-1 win. In the second game, he allowed only two hits and struck out eight in a 6-0 shutout.

Hancock called every pitch Smith threw from behind the plate and also threw out several runners attempting to steal. Hancock also had a good series at the plate, recording multiple hits with RBIs. When not on the hill, Smith played outfield and recorded an assist and several put-outs.

Both Smith and Hancock will be incoming freshmen at Houston High School this fall and both are members of the varsity baseball team.